The Lucknow-Azamgarh-Ballia- Expressway now renamed as Purvanchal Expressway is an under construction 6-lane, divided and access-controlled highway, in India's Uttar Pradesh state. The expressway will connect the historic towns of Ballia and Azamgarh with the state capital, Lucknow.[1] It is to be developed by the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development and Authority.

The project will be executed[2] by Gayatri Projects, Apco Infratech, GR Infra, PNC Infratech and Oriental Structural Engineering. The total project has been divided in 8 packages, with Gayatri Projects, GR Infra and PNC Infratech allotted 2 packages each and Apco Infra and Oriental being awarded one package each. The easy bidding process has also resulted in 10% cost reduction for the project.

May 2015: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announces the Lucknow-Azamgarh-Ballia expressway. The proposed expressway was originally conceptualized by the Mayawati government in 2008 as the Ganga Expressway.

Oct 2015: UP Government has finalized the alignment out of three proposed alignment for expressway. Detailed Project Report (DPR) to be prepared in three months.[6]

Nov 2015: The Lucknow-Azamgarh-Ballia expressway is renamed as Purvanchal Expressway.[7]

Feb 2016: State Government allocated 1500 Crores Rupees for the expressway in the budget.[8]

May 2017: About 40% of required land is already acquired during Akhilesh Yadav's Govt, claims Samajwadi Party leader Ram Govind Chaudhary who is leader of opposition in UP Legislative Assembly.[10]

May 2017: Yogi Adityanath Government cancels tenders issues by previous government stating that currently only 40.17% of needed land is acquired and will issue fresh tender only when at least 80% of land will be acquired.[11]

Jun 2017: The state government may take a loan of ₹3,500 crore for the construction of Purvanchal Expressway, the biggest in the country, from Lucknow to Ballia, which was recently approved by the UP cabinet with link roads to Ayodhya and Varanasi.[13]

Sep 2017: 60% land acquired at cost of 4,500 crore rupees. Total land acquisition may cost up to 6,500 crore Rupees. NITI Aayog says the Central Government may bear cost of road construction if state government bears the land acquisition cost.[14]

Nov 2017: 77% land acquisition done, work to start by March 2018 and will take 30 months to complete the project.[15][16]

Jan 2018: 85% land acquisition done, foundation stone to be laid in March 2018.[17]